RI Pooled Trust

About the Trust

Our Mission

The RI Pooled Trust was created by the Community Provider Network of Rhode Island. Together we have created a trust that will enable individuals and their families to plan for the financial security of their loved one with a disability. Unlike traditional Special Needs Trusts, the RI Pooled Trust is designed in such a way that individuals can open an account with the trust without incurring the expensive legal fees typically associated with such a plan. Additionally, the minimum deposit required to open an account is just $1000.

Our Goal

Our goal in developing the Rhode Island Pooled Trust was to create a vehicle for individuals or their families to set aside money without jeopardizing eligibility for Medicaid or Social Security benefits. This will help the family plan for the future care of the person with a disability and ensure that there are resources available for other personal needs.

Medicaid Benefits

Maintaining Medicaid Benefits

Medicaid recipients sometimes receive back settlements. These settlements are frequently in excess of $2000 – the cap on assets allowed by Medicaid. As a result, the individual will likely lose the Medicaid benefits due to the excess assets! The RI Pooled Trust is a secure place to set aside settlements to avoid the risk of losing Medicaid benefits while maintaining access to funds for an array of needs.

Safeguard Assets & Settlements

Occasionally, an individual with a disability may receive a lump sum insurance settlement from an accident or wrongful injury case. This individual could establish a Special Needs Trust which would protect the asset, but it is likely to cost over $7000 in fees and can be time consuming to initiate. The RI Pooled Trust can assist in this situation as it can process deposits in any amount starting from $1000, without a delay in availability and legal fees starting at only $200.

Partners

Community Provider Network of Rhode Island

The Community Provider Network of Rhode Island (CPNRI) was founded in 1985 and has been the single state-wide association for providers of service to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CPNRI supports its twenty-one member organizations through advocacy on legislative and policy issues, service improvement, best practices, purchasing initiatives, and member networking.
More than you expect. Just what you need.

At Rockland Trust Investment Management Group, we know that each relationship matters, we provide an exceptional level of client service to each individual, family, business, and organization we serve.

Rockland Trust Investment Management Group (IMG) is one of the Largest Independent Investment Advisers in Massachusetts. Our team has more than 80 experienced professionals throughout nine investment offices located across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

We take a personal approach to wealth management in order to fully understand where you are now, where you want to go, and what you will need to get there.​

We provide tailored solutions through comprehensive wealth management services ranging from investment management and financial planning to estate planning, insurance analysis and more.

In addition, we offer special services including:

  • Tailored investment management for Pooled Trust

  • Sub-accounting for all participants of Pooled Trust

  • Weekly cash movement to trustee for participants disbursement requests

We thoughtfully build your team with the expertise you need today and with the flexibility to adjust as your needs evolve tomorrow.

Combining the extensive resources and expertise of a large institution with the deeply personal service you expect from a community bank gives you the best of both worlds. At Rockland Trust Investment Management Group, our mission is to offer you more than you expect—but exactly what you need.

www.RocklandTrust.com/Wealth&Investments

Frequently Asked Questions

A first party trust is established when an individual receives a lump-sum payment from an insurance settlement, a Social Security back payment or an inheritance that was not previously directed to a Special Needs Trust. This type of trust allows an individual to retain this asset without jeopardizing their Medicaid benefit. However, upon the passing of the Trust Participant, Medicaid will seek reimbursement for any services provided during the life of the Participant. Individuals can designate that any balance in the Trust upon the passing of the Participant be given to a beneficiary or charity and this is completed after Medicaid received its reimbursement. Alternatively, an individual can opt to leave any remaining funds in the Trust for the benefit of others also participating in the Trust.

third party trust is established when a family member or person other than the individual directs funds to the Trust specifically by-passing the individual. This can be funded with cash, insurance policy, annuity or other vehicle. In these cases, the granting party can determine how any residual funds are handled – whether to a named beneficiary or charity – as Medicaid cannot file a claim against these funds. The balance could also be left in the Trust for the benefit of other Participants.

Several different groups:

  • People who “spend down” to qualify for Medicaid. For those individuals, the dollars could be put into the trust and it then becomes exempt, which means it is not counted by Medicaid.
  • People who have family members who want to set aside money for the enhancement of their life in a safe manner so as not to interfere with existing services and supports.
  • Families caring for a child with a developmental disability can use the trust for estate planning purposes. They can put money in the trust and use it for their child’s future expenses. These resources will not prevent the child from qualifying for Medicaid.
  • People over the age of 65 are also eligible for Pooled Special Needs Trusts.
Participation in the Medicaid program or pending eligibility for Medicaid
Yes. The trust can pay for vacation expenses for the beneficiary, including transportation, airfare, admission to events. If it is medically necessary, the trust can also pay for personal assistance services while on vacation.

Yes. The Rhode Island Pooled Trust does not require that you be a RI resident to participate.
If you choose to relocate and want your Trust account managed by an entity closer to your new home, arrangements can be made to transfer the Trust to a new Trustee(s)

Due to complications with maintenance, upkeep and unforeseen costs, the Pooled Trust does not generally accept real estate in an individual’s account. There are several other options available to consider in these cases.

Each year, the Pooled Trust will issue statements detailing whether any of your gains are taxable. Participants are required to provide that information when filing their taxes.

Generally a new account is eligible for distributions within 30 days of funding. Large distributions may be subject to a longer waiting period.

 

Questions?
Contact us.

Fee Schedule

One Time Administrative Start Up Fee
$200 or 1% of initial contribution up to $1000 cap
Contribution Minimum
Cash $1000
Non-Cash Items (insurance policy, investments, etc.) Appraisal on items with expected value greater than
$5000
Tax Preparation
Individual Returns - Hourly Rate
Trust Return - Pro rata fee to cover expense
Termination Fee
$50 - Process final distribution and tax preparation
Trustee Fee
1%

Trustees Team

Tina Spears

Liz Wiedenhofer

Michael (1)

Michael Pearis

Carrie Miranda

Casey Gartland